James Taylor retirement puts Ben Stokes' T20 troubles in perspective

Ben Stokes admits James Taylor's sudden and enforced retirement from cricket has put his World Twenty20 final heartache into perspective.

Stokes was hit for four successive sixes in the final over by Carlos Brathwaite as the West Indies snatched the world title from England in Kolkata.

But after the subsequent shock of hearing that Taylor must retire at the age of 26 because of a serious heart condition, Stokes is not dwelling on the ups and downs of his own career.

Ben Stokes' thoughts are very much with his former England team-mate James Taylor

It has been a rollercoaster experience, with the last 15 months alone including the disappointment of omission from the 2015 World Cup squad and the joy of a home Ashes victory later that year.

Rock-bottom probably came in that last over at Eden Gardens just under three weeks ago, when he ran into a man on a mission as Brathwaite made a mockery of the 19 runs still needed to win, knocking them off with two balls to spare.

Yet as Taylor's club Nottinghamshire confirmed that the player is back home continuing his recovery after a fortnight in hospital, Stokes spells out what is important.

"I'll be able to play again. Unfortunately, 'Titch' won't," he said.

"I think he realises, and we realise, that the best thing to come out of this is that he's still alive. It gives you massive perspective, not just on cricket but life in general."

England's premier batsman Root will soon begin his summer on Taylor's home ground, for Yorkshire at Trent Bridge. While there, he hopes to spend some time with a player who was his middle-order partner in the Test series with South Africa just three months ago.

Reflecting on the moment he discovered Taylor was retiring, Root said: "It was horrible to hear, such sad news, and it's great to see him back out of hospital now.

"I hope I get the chance to catch up with him over the next few weeks. I'll be down in Nottingham for the championship game, and I look forward to seeing him down there.

"I really hope he can find something he enjoys doing as much as he loved playing cricket.

"He is a very strong character, and it's admirable the way he's dealt with it."

It will still be serious business, of course, for England when they return to the comparative trivia of trying to beat Sri Lanka and Pakistan this summer.

They will do so as a collective who have grown closer through mixed fortunes, not least Root and Stokes after the Yorkshireman was first to console the shell-shocked bowler following Brathwaite's final six.

"There were a few hands on my back, and I didn't really take my head out of my hands for quite a long time," Stokes recalled.

"But looking back at the images, you see pretty much the whole team came up - not leaving me hanging - (and) that sums us up as a team.

"We win together and lose together, and I know everyone was feeling as much pain as I was."

England did not sense the same grace from the victors, notably Stokes' old adversary Marlon Samuels whose unbeaten 85 steered the Windies towards victory in the final.

The pair are unlikely to ever become bosom buddies, but Stokes is prepared nonetheless to give credit where it is due.

"He won't be on my Christmas card (list)," he said.

"But he played a massive hand in winning them the World T20, so you've got to hold your hands up and say he was better on that day."

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